Pole qualifying is complete, but Bump Day is looming this weekend at Indianapolis. Can Helio Castroneves make it a three-peat? Who's looked the best in practice so far? USA TODAY motorsports writer Gary Graves is here to answer all your questions as you look ahead to the Indy 500 on May 25.

Comment from USATODAY.com Host:
Sorry for the delay folks. We hope to have Gary online very shortly.Comment from Gary Graves:
Thanks for logging on. I just got back from taking a two-seater ride in an Indy car, a wild experience to say the least. It gave me a good idea of what these drivers go through and a better idea of what to expect in the Indy 500. Now, fire away...
Elkhorn, NE:
What new drivers and teams will be trying to qualify this weekend?
And what is the price to get into a car this weekend?

That leaves four spots, and the list of available drivers is long. The most likely available candidates are Alex Barron, Bryan Herta, Memo Gidley and Max Papis. A lot depends on if Honda, Toyota and Chevy push teams to field additional entries. So far Honda plans one more team and Toyota three, and the question is which teams will expand. Team Penske has no plans for a third car, but it wouldn't be shocking if owner Roger Penske changed his mind. Target Chip Ganassi might consider another car as well.

Smaller operations with just one car are the best places to look, but the issue is cost in a tough economy. Engines cost $120,000 from the factory, which is why many teams lease or build their own engines. Figure in the need for two engines, tires, fuel and personnel and the conservative estimate is about $5 million without sponsorship. Not a lot of teams have that kind of money.

Of course, teams tend to sandbag a little, waiting to see how their cars run before deciding to expand. With nine spots available, it's worth taking a chance with another entry. Plus, deals always seem to get done to fill the field. Even the last place finisher last year earned $240,000, which is worth taking a shot.Winston Salem, North Carolina:
Don't you think that the two divisions should get back together to preserve open cockpit racing in the US?

Gary Graves:
Yes, but the likely scenario is that CART will fold in the next couple of years for lack of money.

A compromise could be merging the two bodies and expanding to a 20-race schedule with a mix of road and oval courses like CART used to have. Drivers could be required to run 75% of the schedule to be eligible for the title and run at least two road events. In other words, an oval-minded driver could have to run two road courses while a road course vet would have to race 12-14 oval events. But with the IRL holding the upper hand right now, it could very well decide to keep it as is and let CART fold altogether. But some unity is needed to save open-wheel racing.Chicago Ill:
Can the 24 cars that have already qualified be bumped on Sunday, May 18th (Bump Day)?

Gary Graves:
They're in no matter what. Bumping starts after the field of 33 is filled. The slowest qualifier can be bumped by a faster car, which can be bumped by a faster car, etc.Washington DC:
Has the inclusion of ex-CART drivers in this years Indy 500 caused concern with the IRL regulars? Several of the crashes in this young IRL season involved ex-CART drivers is no coincidence.

Gary Graves:
Your second question has merit, but IRL regulars don't seem to mind having their former CART counterparts around. Many of these drivers have faced each other on the way up the ladder, so it's just another race to them. If anything, IRL drivers might feel bolder at having won the war in open-wheel philosophy. But they're too friendly with each other to feel that way.Fishers, Indiana:
If the IRL could pick a winner for the 500, who do you think they would choose? A trifecta for Helio would be unprecedented, but he's Brazilian -- and Americans seem to want an American. Andretti would be a great story, but he's retiring.

Gary Graves:
Let's not go there, because the feeling exists that the IRL favors some teams. Helio is the logical choice because of the historical potential for three in a row, not to mention his looks and affable personality. Plus, he handles himself well with the media.

A second possibility is teammate Gil de Ferran, with Tony Kanaan, Scott Dixon and Sam Hornish Jr. rounding out the top five choices.

You make a good point that Americans want an American driver, but the fact is they just aren't there right now. The infusion of CART drivers over the past two years has narrowed the pool of American drivers, who are looking to NASCAR as a choice. Even Hornish is mulling a jump to stock cars in the next few years. But you look back at Indy and there have been more than a few import winners, and the race didn't suffer.Topeka, Kansas:
As a native Hoosier, I am an avid follower of the Indy 500. With a relatively good history on the circuit, why can't Sarah Fisher get decent sponsorship? Thanks!

Gary Graves:
Number one, the sponsors aren't there and if they were they'd look at someone who actually has a good chance to win the race.

What Fisher needs most is a victory, any victory. She's been durable and diligent, but hasn't been a consistent contender. That's what sponsors look at.Appleton, WI:
Mr. Graves:
The IndyCar Series has had better racing the past few years than when I was a kid watching Mario, A.J., the Unsers and Mark Donahue. What will it take to get the general public to notice? Keep up the good work and thank you for your time.

Gary Graves:
Thanks for the compliment.

The IRL's selling point is tight racing, but the league hasn't conveyed that to the public. They need to push that the same way NASCAR pushes its racing, and maybe follow Fox's lead and come up with some graphic or animation that makes people pay attention.

They also need to hype their stars more than they have been. Castroneves and Tony Kanaan are some of the funniest guys out there, but they're not exactly household names. It's all about publicity, baby.Fort Wayne, Indiana:
Gary:
With the introduction of Toyota and Honda, and the new engine program, into the IndyCar Series, is the Speedway looking to do anything to limit the increase in speed? We're back at the 230 mph mark again.

Gary Graves:
For now, no. I think they see 230 mph as the max instead of the minimum and will probably leave it alone. The old supercharged CART engines would be a different story, part of why the IRL was formed in the first place, to keep speeds down.milwaukee, wi:
what happened to tony georges vision, did he lose his hammer, CART is still here and he will not even have 33 cars for the 500 the guy is a joke

Gary Graves:
Tony's vision is still there in many ways, and not even CART's continued existence can change that. He's a patient man who believes in staying the course, which will means he'll wait for CART's demise no matter how long it takes.

It will take some doing, but the field should still have 33 cars. (see previous comments). As for him being a "joke", that's just in the eye of the beholder. That he's still around after seven years tells me he's pretty astute -- and stubborn.Santiago, Chili:
There was one indianapolis 500 race that has been less than 33 cars?
If no, in this oportunity, will be 33 cars?

Gary Graves:
Not since 1947 has the race fielded less than 33 cars, and I think that streak will stay intact (see earlier comments).Oklahoma City, OK:
How has Sarah Fischer been doing in practice? Does she have a shot at making a good showing and turning some heads?

Gary Graves:
Sarah has been noticeably bothered by her practice speeds, just like many Chevy drivers. The horsepower just isn't there compared to Toyota and Honda, which makes it hard for drivers like Fisher to compete on a tight budget.

If Fisher can drive like she did at Homestead in 2001, make the right pit stops and stay out of trouble, she's got a shot. So much can happen in a race like this that it becomes a war of attrition. If she's there at the end, she's got a chance.Portland, ME:
Hi Gary. Has any driver really impressed you so far this year or exceeded your expectations coming into Indy?

Gary Graves:
Actually, two drivers. Dan Wheldon of Andretti Green and Scott Dixon of Target Chip Ganassi have been consistent all week with their speeds and have adapted well to the track. It wouldn't surprise me if both were in the running at the end.Sebring:
Do you think Gil de Ferran has a shot at winning after not having raced in a while?

Gary Graves:
Yes, because he's driven and perhaps the smartest driver out there. In fact, injuries are the only thing that have stopped him since joining the IRL last year. It cost him a shot at last year's title and sidelined him for Motegi. But he's almost healthy, and despite starting 10th he should contend.windsor, ct:
how many drivers/cars do you think will start the race this year?

Gary Graves:
That seems to be everybody's question at the moment, but I think they will have 33 cars and drivers. A lot happens before Bump Day, and there are spots available. Stay tuned.east lansing, michigan:
who is the dark horse to win this year's indy 500?

Gary Graves:
I don't know if a two-time IRL champion should be considered a darkhorse, but Sam Hornish Jr. is my pick because he's the best candidate to be around at the end and he knows how to get something out of the Chevy that others can't.

Choice No. 2: Al Unser Jr.SPEEDWAY, IN:
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CHANCES ARE OF THIS YEARS INDY 500 NOT HAVING A FULL FIELD?

Gary Graves:
I think the chances of a full field are pretty good, given the drivers that haven't qualified and teams that are mulling whether to expand. Keep your fingers crossed.Gary, Ind.:
Is it really wise when guys like Tony Stewart and Robby Gordon pull the Indy 500/Coke 600 double. Can they really be expected to give a focused effort over 1100 miles? Shouldn't they just concentrate on one race and call it a day?

Gary Graves:
Whether it's wise is debated by us, but these two are determined enough to pull it off because they love to race and love a challenge. Focus is never an issue for either one, but stamina might be with the heat, race length and travel. It's why Stewart is only running the Coca-Cola 600 for the second consecutive year.

They could easily just pick one race, but they'd feel like something was missing at the end of the day.Fairfax, Va.:
In the past, haven't we had more teams trying to qualify for the race?

Gary Graves:
Sure, when the economy was better. When it's tight like the present, sponsors become selective where they spend their money, which makes it hard on teams. Unless you're Roger Penske, Michael Andretti or Chip Ganassi, you've got to determine how much of your own money you're willing to spend on this. Looking at the scarcity of teams, not many.Greensboro, NC:
Is it mere sexism or something else that has Sarah Fisher out there in a soap-box racer while the rest of the drivers have actual cars?

Gary Graves:
In a word, it's money. Dreyer & Reinbold barely have enough to keep Robbie Buhl competitive, and even less for Fisher. Unless they find a primary sponsor, she'll continue to struggle.

Sexism is always possible, but you won't hear it from Sarah unless it's too obvious. She could help herself with an improved track record.washington dc:
I am excited that Helio Castroneves won the pole. Yet, I am concernced that the pole postion is a bad luck spot. What is the record of pole winners winning the Indy 500?

Gary Graves:
Pretty good, actually. There have been 16 winners from the pole, 11 from the second spot and nine from the outside front. Drivers like the front because they stand a better chance of avoiding accidents that generally occur in the middle. Clean air is also welcome.Indianapolis, IN:
Will there be any bumping at all? Why isn't CART here to fill up the field?

Gary Graves:
With nine spots left, bumping is highly unlikely. And CART has two races this month during Indy activities, precluding its teams and drivers from coming here.Rochester Hills, Michigan:
I think the last two back to back winners at Indy were Al Sr. in 70&71 and Bill Vukovich in 53&54. Where did they qualify in the field for the next (potentially 3rd in a row) race?

Gary Graves:
Unser started 19th in 1972 and finished second; Vukovich started fifth in '55 and finished 25th because of an accident.Provo, Utah:
What kinds of speeds can we expect to see at this year's race, and are there still efforts by some to keep speed down down?

Gary Graves:
Predicting speeds is hard, but expect averages to be in the 165-170 mph range.

There really isn't a movement to lower speeds because of the new engine package. It would be a different story if turbochargers were allowed, putting speeds over 240 mph. Reaching 235 mph is a stretch these days.Salt Lake City, Utah:
Is the rise in popularity of NASCAR racing transferring to CART and IRL as well?

Gary Graves:
Not really, though NASCAR is helping raise awareness of the IRL through a partnership at ISC-owned tracks. At places such as Chicagoland and Kansas, fans who want to see the NASCAR races must also buy the IRL race as part of the ticket package.

It seems shady, but folks have turned out to watch the IRL races when they probably wouldn't have. Time will tell whether the IRL's relationship with NASCAR will pay off.

As for CART, it's hurting and there's little NASCAR can do to help it. We're talking about completely different fan bases here, and CART relies on a different dynamic to sell tickets. It really doesn't need NASCAR in that respect.berwyn, pa:
So, how was your two seater Indy ride? Who was driving?

Gary Graves:
My ride with J.J. Yeley was fantastic. I can't believe how they keep those cars on the track at such high speeds. Turns 3 and 4 are the best; there's a speed push coming off the backstretch and you're so close to the wall you can almost touch it. It's a pretty tight squeeze, but I can't wait to do it again.Comment from Gary Graves:
Thanks for your questions. I hope I've answered them to your liking, and you're always free to jump in the next time.